Geoid definition

jēoid
The hypothetical surface of the earth that coincides everywhere with mean sea level.
noun
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The hypothetical surface of the Earth that coincides everywhere with mean sea level and is perpendicular, at every point, to the direction of gravity. The geoid is used as a reference surface for astronomical measurements and for the accurate measurement of elevations on the Earth's surface.
3
1
In geodesy, the earth viewed as a hypothetical ellipsoid with the surface represented as a mean sea level.
noun
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0
A surface of constant gravitational potential at zero elevation.
noun
1
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
geoid
Plural:
geoids

Origin of geoid

  • German from Greek geoeidēs earthlike gē earth -oeidēs -oid

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Geoid Sentence Examples

  • The inequalities of the geoid in no case exceed 300 ft.

  • Granting that the geoid or mean surface of the ocean is a uniform spheroid, the distribution of land and water approximately indicates a division of the surface of the globe into two areas, one of elevation and one of depression.

  • Hence the geoid or figure of the sea-surface is not part of an ellipsoid of rotation but is irregular.

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Words near geoid in the Dictionary